JAINISM Jain Society Of

Metropolitan Chicago

• Jain philosophy has come to mankind through the experience of human individuals who assumed mastery over destiny, witnessed eternity of all existence and attained permanent freedom.

• Jain philosophy is based on the idea that the highest goal in our existence is to reach this destination i.e. to overcome the inner causes of hatred, desire and destructive passion to realize spiritual identity.

Jainism

• A religion and a way of Life.

• For thousand years Jains have been practicing vegetarianism, and environmentalism.

• Jains have three core practices Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness.

What is religion?

• Vaththu Sahävo Dhammo

True nature of the given thing is the true Dharma of that thing

• Dhärayait iti Dharma

What holds one from falling from spiritual degeneration is religion

Any activity which takes you closer to the true nature of the soul is Dharma

Who are Jains?

– Jains are followers of JINA, one who has subdued the senses, silenced the passions, eliminated every level of attachment and aversion, and thus attained absolute knowledge and peace.

– Passions - inner enemies

• Anger

• Greed

• Ego

• Deceit

• Ahimsa Parmo Dharma

• Compassion and Non-violence is the Supreme religion.

Five Great vows

• Ahimsa--Nonviolence / Compassion Not to cause harm to any living beings

• Satya--Truthfulness To speak harmless truth only

• Asteya--Non stealing Not to take anything not properly given

• Brahmacharya--Chastity Not to indulge in sensual pleasure

• Aparigraha--Non possession / Non attachment Complete detachment from people, places, and material

things

Non-stealing

Celibacy

Truthfulness

Non-Violence

Non-Possessiveness

• Classification of Living being is according to sense organ development.( Life Force and Bio-potential Power).

Life Forces

• Drvya Prän (Vitality)• Sparsh-Indriya Touch • Ras-Indriya Taste • Ghrän-lndriya Smell • Chakshu-lndriya Vision • Shrotra-Indriya Hearing • Mano-bal Mind • Vachan-bal Speech• Käy-bal Body• Shväsoshväs Respiration• Äyushya Longevity

• “The destruction of life forces due to an act involving negligence is violence

Basic Instincts of all living beings • Food• Fear • Pleasure from senses• Possession

All living beings cherish and cling to their own lives, struggle to avoid pain and misery

Different Ways We Commit Himsä

• Mind, Body and Speech

• Doing, Encouraging and silent consent

• Past, Present and Future

• Five One Sense Being, And Four Other with two to five sense organs

W ith ou t C au se(L u xu ry, S p ort)

W ith C au se(Im p rove B eh avio r O f D ep en d en ts )

W ith ou t O ffen se(N o C rim e)

W ith O ffen se(P ro tec tion , D e fen se)

W ith In ten tion N ecessary F or L ive lih ood

M ob ile J iv(2 -5 S en ses )

Im m ob ile J iv(1 S en se)

Typ es O f V io len ce

AvoidableAvoidable

Avoidable

• Easy rule of thumb to follow• Violence of immobile or mobile life (minute or

gross life), for livelihood, due to offence, with cause – all these unavoidable violence should be carried out in such a way that our heart does not become cruel and our compassion is not lost.

• Violence of innocent mobile life carried out with intention should be avoided completely.

• Ahimsa –Respecting the feeling and emotions of other people and creatures.

• Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any living being including plant and vegetables.

• Renunciation of killing of all living beings, whether subtle or gross, whether movable or immovable

• Universal Love, respect for all creatures

Positive Aspects

• Ahimsa--caring for and sharing with all living beings as well as tending to, protecting and serving them.

• Entails universal friendliness , universal forgiveness and universal fearlessness.

• Non-violence (Ahimsa)--strengthens the autonomy of life everywhere

• Non-absolutism (Anekäntaväda)--strengthens autonomy of thoughts & speech, and non-possessiveness

• Non-possessiveness--strengthens autonomy of interdependence

• The above three realistic principles, strengthen our belief that every living being has a right to self-existence.

These principles translate into three practices:

• One should not kill

• One should not trample others’ thoughts

• One should not trample nature

Compassionate Living

Ahimsä (non-violence): • Not to cause pain to any living beings in words, in

thoughts, and in actions. We do not have right to harm, abuse, or exploit animals, birds, fish etc.

• It is a compassionate living in harmony with nature.

• Vegetarianism – To live a life with minimum violence and avoid animal base products.

Environment Possesses Life

• Jainism believes that all Five basic Elements of the Universe which make our environment possess life– Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Vegetation

• It also believes that every living being possesses one to five senses– Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, and Hearing

Environment Possesses Life

• Vegetation, Earth, Air, Water, Fire, etc. possesses one sense (touch) while ,insect, Animals and Humans possess all five senses.

• Also human beings alone are blessed with the sixth sense of advanced developed thinking. Therefore, – Humanity is responsible for achieving oneness and

harmony with all life by being careful, compassionate, loving and nonviolent.

What does Jainism teach about ecology?

• Non-Possessiveness / Self-restraint is the second most important Jain principle – Minimizing consumption provides respect for other’s life and

Environment

– Reduce needs and wants as far as possible.

– Reuse / Recycle Products - Not to waste the gifts of nature

– Share resources

– Nature provides enough for our NEED not enough for our GREED

What does Jainism teach about ecology?

• Not possible to survive with absolute non-violence. Hence the destruction of one sense life is essential for our survival.

• Destruction of higher sensed living beings is a more cruel act because of higher development of their senses, which inflicts more pain on them.

• It also has a greater impact on environment• Hence Jainism advocates vegetarianism against raising

animals for food.

Impact on Environment

• To produce 1 lb. of meat, an average of 40 lb of vegetation is used.

(This calculation takes in to consideration, the land clearing, as well as food for the live-stock till slaughter - food cattle are generally slaughtered prior to 2-years-old, dairy cattle may live 4 years before being turned into burgers).

• To produce 1 lb. of meat, an average of 2500 gallons of water is used.

(1 lb. of wheat requires 108 gallons of water, 1 lb. of rice needs 229 gallons of water, 1 lb. of potatoes require  60 gallons of water).

*Source: USDA  2001.

Impact on Environment

• Waste released in the environment by US meat and dairy industry: 230,000 pounds per second, polluting our land, air and water systems.

*Source: USDA  2001.

• Vitaräga means ‘without attachment’

• Siddha is a pure consciousness or pure soul without any Karma bondage

• Tirthankar is one who establishes religion.

What does God mean in Jainism

What does God mean in Jainism

• God is NOT the creator, destroyer and sustainer of the universe. The universe, and living beings have been there from eternity and will be there for eternity

• God IS omnipotent and omniscient, however, he DOES NOT use His power and knowledge, as a matter of fact He does not have a desire to do so, putting it simply.

Jainism - Basic BeliefsJainism - Basic Beliefs

• God, Universe and LifeGod, Universe and Life– God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the

universeuniverse– Liberated souls are Jain Gods, who are only knowers and Liberated souls are Jain Gods, who are only knowers and

observers, but not doersobservers, but not doers– Universe is made of two eternal and self-existing elements Universe is made of two eternal and self-existing elements

• Living beings (souls)Living beings (souls)• Non-living Substances (Matter, Space, mediums of Motion and Non-living Substances (Matter, Space, mediums of Motion and

Rest, Time)Rest, Time)

– The principles governing the successions of life cycles The principles governing the successions of life cycles (birth, life, and death) is Karma particles which are (birth, life, and death) is Karma particles which are attached to the soul from the beginning of time.attached to the soul from the beginning of time.

Jainism - Basic Beliefs (continued)Jainism - Basic Beliefs (continued)

• Life SufferingLife Suffering– Ignorance is the root cause of all sufferingIgnorance is the root cause of all suffering

– Soul is ignorant from the beginning of timeSoul is ignorant from the beginning of time

– Karma attaches to the soul due to soul's ignoranceKarma attaches to the soul due to soul's ignorance

• Ultimate Goal of LifeUltimate Goal of Life– Removal of soul's ignorance, hence be free from all karmaRemoval of soul's ignorance, hence be free from all karma

– Liberated soul is an all knower and observer, but not a doer Liberated soul is an all knower and observer, but not a doer which is an ideal state of livingwhich is an ideal state of living

Scriptures

• Jain scriptures are based on a collection of 14 ancients texts that contained direct teachings of the Last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir.

• Sermons originally delivered in Prakrit language, were later on compiled in various texts called Agama Sutra.

Features of JainismFeatures of Jainism

• Every living being is eternal, individual, and has a potential to become Every living being is eternal, individual, and has a potential to become liberated or Godliberated or God

• At liberation the soul remains finite, lives in Moksha forever, and never At liberation the soul remains finite, lives in Moksha forever, and never loses its identityloses its identity

• The principles governing the successions of life cycles (Birth, Life, and The principles governing the successions of life cycles (Birth, Life, and Death) is KarmaDeath) is Karma

• Our ignorance or intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech Our ignorance or intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with Karmabind us with Karma

• Path of liberation is to follow Righteous Perception, Righteous Path of liberation is to follow Righteous Perception, Righteous Knowledge, and Righteous ConductKnowledge, and Righteous Conduct

Jain Religion FeaturesJain Religion Features

• Desire is the root cause of all sufferingDesire is the root cause of all suffering• Conquer your desire by your own effort in order to attain Conquer your desire by your own effort in order to attain

liberation.liberation.• Self purification, penance, austerity, and meditation are Self purification, penance, austerity, and meditation are

essential for Righteous Conduct.essential for Righteous Conduct.• Nonviolence is the highest principle to be followed in Nonviolence is the highest principle to be followed in

thought, speech, and action.thought, speech, and action.• One must cease injuring sentient creatures, large and One must cease injuring sentient creatures, large and

small.small.

Empowering Theory

• While the Law of Karma dictates what we are experiencing now to be the result of our own past action, the Law - by clearly defining the principle of cause and effect - also lays before us positive future direction of our own choice and making

• Only WE are responsible for our past, present and future and only WE can alter it. No one else can!

Unique Features Of Jainism

• Ideals of compassion and non-possessiveness build a strong sense of social service.

• No war was ever waged to convert or coerce

• Equality of woman in society and religion.

• Independence from priestly domination.

Comparing Eastern

and Western

Religions

The True God:The True God:

EasternEasternƒ One true and absolute Self or GodOne true and absolute Self or Godƒ Many images of one supreme GodMany images of one supreme Godƒ God is pure love and consciousnessGod is pure love and consciousnessƒ There are many paths to God by way of understanding, There are many paths to God by way of understanding,

temperament, and maturitytemperament, and maturityƒ All souls are capable to be LiberatedAll souls are capable to be Liberated

WesternWesternƒ There is only one true God and One true religionThere is only one true God and One true religionƒ God is loving as well as wrathfulGod is loving as well as wrathfulƒ Those who accept God will enjoy God's graceThose who accept God will enjoy God's graceƒ All others will suffer eternally in HellAll others will suffer eternally in Hell

Doctrine:Doctrine:EasternEasternƒ Doctrines tend to be subtle, complex, and even Doctrines tend to be subtle, complex, and even

paradoxicalparadoxicalƒ Freedom to worship and to believe in a variety of Freedom to worship and to believe in a variety of

ways is predominantways is predominantƒ Other paths are accepted as God's divine willOther paths are accepted as God's divine willƒ It is universal and tolerantIt is universal and tolerant

WesternWesternƒ Doctrines tend to be simple, clear, and rationalDoctrines tend to be simple, clear, and rationalƒ Worship and belief are formalized and requiredWorship and belief are formalized and requiredƒ Other paths are endured, but not honoredOther paths are endured, but not honoredƒ It is exclusive and dogmaticIt is exclusive and dogmatic

Creation of the Universe:Creation of the Universe:

EasternEasternƒ Exists in endless cycles of creation, preservation, and Exists in endless cycles of creation, preservation, and

destructiondestructionƒ No absolute end to the worldNo absolute end to the worldƒ No duality of God and world but a unityNo duality of God and world but a unity

WesternWesternƒ Created by God at some point in timeCreated by God at some point in timeƒ In future it will be destroyed by Him In future it will be destroyed by Him foreverforever

ƒ He is separate from it, and rules it from above He is separate from it, and rules it from above (dualistic nature)(dualistic nature)

Worship:Worship:

EasternEasternƒ Worship is individual, highly ritualistic, and Worship is individual, highly ritualistic, and

meditativemeditativeƒ Centers around the temple and home shrineCenters around the temple and home shrineƒ Any time of the dayAny time of the day

WesternWesternƒ Worship is congregational, simple in its ritualsWorship is congregational, simple in its ritualsƒ Centers around the church, synagogue, or mosqueCenters around the church, synagogue, or mosqueƒ Mostly on a Sabbath day (Moslems 5 times a day)Mostly on a Sabbath day (Moslems 5 times a day)

Ascetic Life (Sainthood)Ascetic Life (Sainthood)

EasternEasternƒ Through renunciation, self discipline, purification, contemplation, Through renunciation, self discipline, purification, contemplation,

and meditationand meditationƒ Value is placed on individual religious practice (Sadhana):Value is placed on individual religious practice (Sadhana):

–yoga, meditation, and super conscious awakeningyoga, meditation, and super conscious awakeningƒ Little emphasis on social work and concernsLittle emphasis on social work and concerns

WesternWesternƒ Submit to God through self-sacrifice, and concern for othersSubmit to God through self-sacrifice, and concern for othersƒ Value is placed on good work, social concerns, and scriptural Value is placed on good work, social concerns, and scriptural

studystudyƒ Little emphasis on yoga and meditationLittle emphasis on yoga and meditation